Compare With or Compare To can be confusing because both forms are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different ways.
The choice depends on what you want to show when comparing two people, things, ideas, or situations.
Compare with is usually used to look at two things side by side and notice their similarities and differences.
Compare to is often used when one thing is described as similar to another.
Understanding this simple difference can help you choose the right phrase and make your English sound clearer and more natural in everyday, academic, and professional writing.
Quick Answer
Compare with is generally used when examining two or more things to identify both similarities and differences.
Compare to is more often used to liken one thing to another for emphasis, illustration, or figurative effect.
In modern American English, the distinction is less strict, but following this guideline makes your writing clearer.
Compare With vs. Compare To
| Feature | Compare With | Compare To |
| Correct? | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Meaning | Examine similarities and differences | Show resemblance or make an analogy |
| Definition | Analyze two or more items carefully | Describe one thing as similar to another |
| Part of Speech | Verb phrase | Verb phrase |
| Grammar Rule | Used for detailed comparison | Used for figurative or illustrative comparison |
| Typical Usage | Analysis, evaluation, research | Metaphors, creative writing, speeches |
| Incorrect Usage | Using it for a poetic analogy (sometimes awkward) | Using it for detailed side-by-side analysis (often less precise) |
| Pronunciation | /kəmˈper wɪð/ | /kəmˈper tuː/ |
| Common Mistake | Thinking it is the only correct form | Using it for every comparison |
| Memory Tip | With = Work through details | To = Turn one thing into an analogy |
| Example | Compare this report with last year’s report. | She compared his voice to velvet. |
Meaning of “Compare With”
Compare with means to examine two or more things carefully to identify similarities, differences, or both.
Grammar Role
It functions as a verb phrase followed by the object being examined.
Best Uses
- Academic writing
- Research papers
- Reports
- Product comparisons
- Data analysis
Examples
- Compare this year’s budget with last year’s results.
- Students compared the novel with the movie adaptation.
- Scientists compared the two samples with each other before drawing conclusions.
Meaning of “Compare To”
Compare to means to describe one thing as being similar to another, often for emphasis, imagery, or illustration.
Grammar Role
It functions as a verb phrase introducing a comparison that highlights resemblance.
Best Uses
- Creative writing
- Speeches
- Literature
- Everyday expressions
- Marketing
Examples
- The author compared life to a journey.
- Many people compare the internet to a vast library.
- She compared her grandfather to a wise old oak tree.
Key Differences
- Compare with focuses on careful analysis.
- Compared to focusing on resemblance or analogy.
- Compare with often considers similarities and differences.
- Compare to usually emphasizes similarities.
- Academic and professional writing is often preferred compared with objective analysis.
- Literary and persuasive writing frequently used for vivid imagery.
Example Pair
Analysis
- Compare the 2025 sales figures with the 2024 figures.
Analogy
- The CEO compared the company’s growth to a rocket launch.
Grammar Rule
A traditional style guideline distinguishes the two expressions:
- Use compare with when examining items side by side.
- Use compare to when saying one thing resembles another.
Many modern style guides note that this distinction is no longer absolute. In everyday American English, both expressions sometimes overlap. Even so, following the traditional guideline improves clarity and precision.
American vs. British English
Both American and British English use compare with and compare to. American English tends to accept greater overlap between the two, while many British writers still observe the traditional distinction more consistently.
When to Use Each Expression
Academic Writing
Use compare with.
- Compare Shakespeare’s tragedies with his comedies.
Professional Writing
Usually use compare with.
- Compare this proposal with the previous version.
Formal English
Prefer compare with for factual analysis.
Informal English
Both forms are common depending on meaning.
Business Writing
Use compare with for reports and evaluations.
- Compare our pricing with our competitors’ pricing.
Emails
Use compare with when reviewing documents.
- Please compare this contract with the original copy.
Daily Conversation
Use whichever matches your meaning.
- I compare this phone with my old one before buying.
- I’d compare this restaurant to my favorite Italian café.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “compare to” for detailed analysis
❌ Compare the two contracts to each other.
✅ Compare the two contracts with each other.
Mistake 2: Using “compare with” in a figurative analogy
❌ The poet compared love with the ocean.
✅ The poet compared love to the ocean.
Why the Confusion?
Both phrases involve finding similarities. Modern English often uses them interchangeably, making the traditional distinction less obvious.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- If you’re analyzing facts, think with.
- If you’re creating an image or analogy, think too.
- Ask yourself whether you’re evaluating or illustrating.
Original Examples
- The teacher asked us to compare the two essays with the grading rubric.
- Our manager compared this quarter’s performance with last quarter’s results.
- Investors compared the company’s earnings with industry averages.
- My friend compared the new café to one she visited in Paris.
- The novel compares childhood to a long adventure.
- A news commentator compared the election campaign to a marathon.
- Readers compared the latest edition with the original publication.
- On social media, fans compared the singer to a young legend.
- Before buying a laptop, I compared several models with one another.
- The coach compared teamwork to the gears inside a clock.
Memory Trick
Remember this simple rule:
- With = Work through the details.
- To = Turn it into an analogy.
If you’re studying, use compare with.
If you’re describing, use compare to.
Mini Quiz
1. Which sentence is best for an academic paper?
A. Compare the results to last year’s study.
B. Compare the results with last year’s study.
C. Both are equally preferred.
Answer: B
2. Which sentence uses a figurative comparison?
A. Compare the reports with each other.
B. She compared the city to a living organism.
C. Compare these prices with last week’s prices.
Answer: B
3. Which phrase usually fits business reports?
A. Compare with
B. Compare to
C. Neither
Answer: A
4. Which sentence is most appropriate?
A. The poet compared hope with sunshine.
B. The poet compared hope to sunshine.
C. Both are impossible.
Answer: B
5. Which expression emphasizes careful examination?
A. Compare to
B. Compare with
C. Neither
Answer: B
FAQs
Is “compare with” correct?
Yes. It is the preferred choice when carefully examining two or more things for similarities and differences, especially in academic, professional, and analytical writing.
Is “compare to” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is commonly used to express that one thing resembles another or to create a figurative comparison.
It is especially common in literature, speeches, and everyday conversation.
Can “compare with” and “compare to” be used interchangeably?
Sometimes. Modern English allows overlap, particularly in casual writing.
However, using compare with for analysis and compare to for analogy creates clearer and more precise communication.
Which expression is more common in American English?
Both are common. American English is generally more flexible about the distinction, although many editors and style guides still recommend following the traditional usage for clarity.
Which should I use in formal writing?
For reports, essays, research papers, and professional documents, comparison is usually the safer and more precise choice unless you are intentionally making a figurative comparison.
Key Takeaways
- Compare with usually means analyze similarities and differences.
- Compare to usually means show resemblance or create an analogy.
- Academic and business writing generally favors comparison with.
- Creative and literary writing often favors compared to.
- Modern English sometimes treats them as interchangeable, but the traditional distinction improves clarity.
- Choosing the appropriate phrase makes your writing more natural and precise.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between compare with and compare to helps you communicate more accurately.
Use compare with when evaluating or analyzing two things side by side, and use compare when emphasizing similarity or creating a figurative comparison.
While modern usage is more flexible, following this distinction produces clearer, stronger writing in both formal and everyday English.
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William Strunk is a respected authority on English grammar, usage, and writing style, known for his influential work The Elements of Style. At EduNexxa, his focus is on clear, concise, and effective English.
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